bonzer

The story

1. Japanese · derived from万歳“long live..., huzzah, hurrah”
2. French · derived frombon“good”
3. English todaybonzer

Entered use 1890s, origin unknown. In 2020 James Lambert reviewed previous theories, and supports derivation from: * boncer (“large marble”) < bouncer (“something prodigiously large”) Lambert also notes as not supported by evidence: * bonanza * French bon (“good”) * "more fanciful" suggestions: ** born star ** Japanese 万歳 (banzai, “long live..., huzzah, hurrah”) ** bonnie

Words from the same roots